Guwahati: Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has extended his support to the inaugural Guwahati International Marathon, which will offer a total prize purse of ₹1.25 crore and seek to establish the city as a major destination for sports and sports tourism. The marathon will feature five categories — the 42.195-km full marathon, 21.097-km half marathon, 10-km run, 5-km run and 1.5-km run. The route will begin and end at the iconic Judges Field, covering landmarks including Gauhati University, Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu and IIT Guwahati.
The course has been measured by Australian Kim Vivian, a Grade A-certified road race course measurer of World Athletics. Richard Hunter of the UK will serve as Race Director, while Ian Ladbrooke will be the International Elite Athlete Coordinator. Former Asian Marathon Champion Sunita Godara has been appointed India Elite Athlete Coordinator. Around 30 leading male and female long-distance runners from across the world are expected to participate in the full marathon, alongside India’s top long-distance athletes. The half marathon will also feature Indian elite runners.
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Backing the initiative, Gavaskar said running has the power to bring together people across communities, cultures and generations. He also praised Assam’s natural beauty and highlighted the state’s growing ambitions in sports and tourism. Olympic medallist and badminton star PV Sindhu will serve as the marathon’s Brand Ambassador, with organisers expecting her association to boost fitness and youth participation.
Registrations for the event are scheduled to open on September 11, 2026, through the official event website. Organisers aim to make the Guwahati International Marathon an annual sporting event showcasing Assam’s culture, hospitality and sporting potential.
